President, PM pay tribute to martyrs on Armed Forces Day

President Md Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have paid tribute to the Bangladesh army, navy and air force at the Shikha Anirban, or Eternal Flame, to commemorate Armed Forces Day.

Armed Forces Day, Nov 21, recognises the day in 1971 when all three forces began a combined assault on invading Pakistani forces in 1971.

The president, who is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, and defence ministry head Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were greeted by the chiefs of the armed forces and the principal staff officer of the Armed Forces Division at the Dhaka Cantonment on Tuesday.

President Hamid laid a wreath on the Shikha Anirban and observed a minute’s silence in honour of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Bangladesh’s liberation. Members of the armed forces saluted the soldiers. Afterwards the president signed the Shikha Anirban guestbook.

Hamid was followed by Hasina, who placed a wreath before the flame to honour the nation’s martyrs. She was given a guard of honour by the armed forces. She also signed the guestbook.

The prime minister gave awards and cheques to war heroes and their families at a reception at the Army Multipurpose Complex.

Ten members of the army, one from the navy and one from the air force were given the 2016-17 Peacetime Medal and ten others from the army, two from the navy and two from the air force received medals for the 2016-17 year from the prime minister.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq and Defence and Security Adviser to the Prime Minister Maj Gen (Retd) Tarique Ahmed Siddique were also present at the event.